10/18-26 - “Farce: a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations” - that defines the escapist fun being served up at Starlight Dinner Theatre in What Is Susan’s Secret?, an American Farce by Michael and Susan Parker, directed by Lisa Sodman Elzinga.

Beth Webb and Kris Klaver deserve purple hearts for mastering tremendous amount of crazy mixed up lines as Kris schizophrenically escapes into assorted historic adventures and alternate identities. Neither can remember whom they were married to when whatEVer happened… both seem to be drifting into senility.

But sweet, unassuming Susan (Beth Webb) has enough wits about her to have concocted a scheme to offer huge discounts to various repair tradesmen, getting them to sign contracts whose fine print obligates them to make repairs to their inn. An unsuspecting plumber, tile layer, carpenter and electrician are recruited to do work they never expected. Their wives and girlfriends, a sister, a minister, a kinky hotel/inn reviewer….twelve wildly assorted guests are portrayed by four different actors, lobbing laughs right and left through this comic contrivance of capers in-and-out-the-doors.

Laura Croff Wheaton’s comic timing and antic characterizations shine as a blubbering newlywed, a drunk married to the world’s most boring man, and a sexy/embarrassed young woman trying to pass her boyfriend off as an electrician while also hiding him from her minister. Linda Granger shows her range as a skeptical put-upon plumber’s wife, a sex-kitten having an affair with the critic from “Country Inns Magazine” and finally a laughably tough retired military engineer.

MD Nelson was appropriately baffled as the new husband trying to figure out why his wife was in tears, and then wonderfully boring as the carpenter (who’d had “charisma bypass” surgery according to his wife)...and then he juggled in an extra character as he ricocheted between being Paul and Pauline to keep up one of the improbable pretenses. Mike Mahoney brought contrast, humor and sincerity to his confused plumber, amorous inn critic, and affable “hog-riding” preacher.

All characters managed to be so different, it was surprising when the curtain call only had six actors.

If you’re in the mood for a nice dinner (International/Lansing Catering: chicken, mixed vegetables, roast potatoes, roll, salad, cheesecake, lemonade, coffee) and a fun, escapist show call 243-6040 or visit StarlightDinnerTheatre.com. $36 with dinner at 6:30 ( $33 seniors (62+) and students (13 -22) • $20 children (12 and under); $15 for show only at 7:30 - show-only tickets available at the door; meal requires reservations.

Waverly East Intermediate school 3131 W. Michigan, Lansing 48917 - enter on the east side of the building.Saturday the 18th, Friday/Saturday the 24th-25th

NOTE the NEW “dessert only” matinee on the last Sunday, the 26thdessert and beverage served at 1:30 pm.; show begins at 2 pm. $20 regular, seniors (62+) & students (13-22) $13 children 12 and under